Huge Asian hornets nest discovered in derelict house sparks fresh warning

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One of the biggest Asian hornet nests ever spotted in the British Isles has sparked a stinging health warning as we head into the final weeks of summer.

The deadly black and yellow bugs have killed humans in their wake and massacred millions of our beloved bees since invading Europe as an alien predator in 2004.

Each summer Brits are warned of an onslaught of Asian hornets embarking for our shores either by air or boat from France and the Daily Star met those in Guernsey, tasked with stopping them in their tracks.

READ MORE: Booze-loving Asian hornets set to invade UK pubs as terrifying beer garden warning issued

Neighbouring Jersey, however, is paying the price for not operating such a well co-ordinated hit squad assembled across the water, to prevent the invasive species making the island their home.

Now, a huge nest – measuring about 15 inches (40cm) – has been found hanging from the ceiling of an abandoned home in St Brelades, Jersey.

Authorities say numbers of the invasive species have been growing and they are on course for a record number of nests being uncovered this year.

A total of 171 have been found so far in 2023 compared to 100 at the same stage in 2022.

Alastair Christie, Asian hornet co-ordinator for the Government of Jersey, said of the latest find: "It's the biggest we've dealt with so far this year.

"It was in a derelict house, no wind, no rain, out of the cold – beautifully sheltered… A bit of a one-off."

Mr Christie said the latest nest found could have around 1,500 hornets in it – and urged the public to be extra vigilant.

He added: "With branchage coming up, anyone cutting back hedges or banks need to be aware of the risk of disturbing wasp and Asian hornet nests."

Mr Christie also urged the public not to disturb nests as the hornets can be 'very aggressive' – with one individual being stung 12 times last year after disturbing a nest while cutting his hedge.

He added: "Destruction of the nests is logistically challenging.

"They can be found up trees, on cliff faces, inside roof spaces, or within brambles. They are in such varied locations and efficiency and safety have to be prioritised when removing the nests."

"This year it’s gone absolutely crazy," Guernsey's Asian Hornet co-ordinator, Francis Russell told the Daily Star in June.

Humans should be scared of an Asian hornet attack but not nearly as much as local bees.

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"It's quite macabre," Francis says. "They're not fussy. They bite off a bee's head, legs and then chew on its flight muscles and take back to nest like preparing a burger."

Staggeringly one nest alone scoffs the equivalent weight of a small dog in just one season. Little wonder Asian hornets' eyes even light up at meaty road kill.

• Asian Hornets
• Animals

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